Learning that builds

self-belief

Your Tutor

Hello! I'm Rachael, a dedicated Special Needs Tutor with a real passion for helping children grow in confidence and find their way in learning. I’ve spent several years working as a Teaching Assistant in schools across Cumbria and beyond, supporting students from all kinds of backgrounds, especially those with additional needs like ASD, ADHD, SEMH and more.

Most of my experience has been one-to-one support in the classroom, offering personalised help with reading, writing, numeracy and emotional literacy. I’ve also been trained in ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support), which means I can support children not just academically, but emotionally too.

One of the most rewarding parts of my job has been working closely with children who need extra support, including pupils with EHCPs, visual impairments, or physical disabilities. I believe every child should be given the chance to shine in their own unique way, and I’m here to help make that happen.

I am currently studying for my Primary Education degree at the University of Cumbria, in the Lake District. I'm excited to take everything I've learned so far and build on it as I train to become a qualified primary school teacher.

If you're looking for someone patient, understanding and experienced to support your child’s learning journey, I’d love to hear from you.

What I Offer

Age Groups

Here are the age groups that I can help with:

  • EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage)

  • Key Stage 1

  • Key Stage 2

  • Key Stage 3 & 4

  • Including GCSE Support

  • I provide one-to-one sessions that are completely tailored to your child. These sessions can focus on:

    • Literacy and reading support

    • Numeracy and basic maths skills

    • Study skills and homework help

    • Emotional Literacy Support (ELSA techniques)

    • Preparation for school transitions (e.g. moving up to secondary)

    • Support with focus, attention and routine

    Sessions are always adapted to suit your child’s learning style, pace and confidence level.

  • I offer both online and face-to-face sessions, depending on what works best for your family.

    I’m based near Carlisle and can travel locally for in-person tutoring. Online sessions are just as personal and interactive, and are great for families outside the area or who prefer the flexibility of remote learning.

  • I have hands-on experience working with children who have:

    • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

    • Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH)

    • Educational Health Care Plans (EHCPs)

    • Physical disabilities or visual impairments

    I understand the importance of consistent, individualised support and I’m happy to work alongside any EHCP goals or support strategies already in place.

  • As someone trained in Emotional Literacy Support (ELSA), I can also help your child with:

    • Managing emotions

    • Building self-esteem

    • Coping with anxiety or frustration

    • Social skills and friendships

    These sessions are calm, safe and designed to build trust and confidence.

  • No two families are the same. That’s why I offer:

    • Flexible session times (after school or weekends)

    • No pressure learning environments

    • Regular updates for parents

    • Short-term or long-term support options

    If you’re not sure what your child needs, we can start with a friendly chat and go from there.

How I Work

Every child is different, and I believe learning should feel safe, encouraging and even a little bit fun. My approach is gentle, flexible and built around your child’s needs, not the other way around.

Learning at Their Pace

Some children race ahead, others take their time, and both are perfectly fine. I never rush or pile on pressure. Instead, I meet your child where they’re at and build their confidence gradually. Whether we’re tackling tricky spellings or boosting basic maths, I make sure your child feels supported every step of the way.

Tailored Support for Each Child

No two sessions are ever the same. I plan each one to suit your child’s learning style, interests and any additional needs. If they love drawing, we’ll use that. If they learn best with movement or rhythm, we’ll bring that in too. It’s all about making learning click in a way that feels natural to them.

Calm, Positive and Patient

Many of the children I work with experience anxiety, frustration or low self-esteem. That’s why I keep sessions calm and encouraging, offering lots of praise and reassurance. I use techniques from my ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support) training to help children regulate emotions, feel safe, and learn with confidence.

Working with You, the Parents

You know your child best, so I always work closely with you. I’ll check in regularly, share updates, and listen to your feedback. If your child has an EHCP or is getting support in school, I’m happy to build on what’s already in place so they get consistent help across the board.

Flexible and Friendly

I understand that family life is busy, so I offer flexible scheduling and relaxed, no-pressure sessions. We can work towards long-term goals, help your child through a tough patch, or simply give them a quiet space to build confidence at their own pace.

If you’re not sure what kind of support your child needs just yet, that’s totally fine. I’m always happy to have a friendly chat and help you figure it out.

Areas I Cover

I cover a wide area:

Carlisle

  • Carlisle

Eden

  • Penrith

Allerdale

  • Wigton

  • Silloth

  • Aspatria

  • Maryport

  • Workington

  • Cockermouth

  • Keswick

All these areas are covered at no additional cost.

FAQs

  • I work with children from Key Stage 1 right through to Key Stage 3, which usually means ages 5 to 14. I’ve supported pupils in both primary and secondary schools, and I’m currently training to be a primary school teacher (ages 3 to 11). Whether your child is just starting out or preparing for secondary school, I can help.

  • Both! I’m based near Carlisle and happy to travel locally for face-to-face sessions. I also offer online tutoring for families who live further away or prefer the flexibility of learning from home. Online sessions are still personal, engaging and tailored to your child, and I make sure they feel just as supported as they would in person.

  • I’ve spent several years working as a Teaching Assistant in both mainstream and SEN settings. I’ve supported children with a wide range of needs, including ASD, ADHD, SEMH, physical disabilities, visual impairments and more. I’ve also worked closely with pupils who have EHCPs and am trained in ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support), which allows me to support your child both academically and emotionally.

  • No two sessions are the same because I tailor everything to your child. Some sessions focus on core subjects like reading or maths, others might include confidence-building activities, emotional regulation or study skills. I often use creative approaches like drawing, storytelling or rhythm-based learning to keep things fun and accessible. Sessions are calm, friendly and always go at your child’s pace.

  • Sessions usually last between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on your child’s age and focus level. Some families choose weekly sessions, others prefer more flexible arrangements. We’ll work together to find a rhythm that suits your child and your schedule.

  • Everything I do is based around your child’s individual needs. I adjust the pace, materials and teaching methods to suit them. I use tools and strategies I've developed while working with children with ASD, ADHD and other needs, from sensory breaks and visual supports to simplified instructions and repetition. My goal is to help your child feel safe, understood and capable.

  • Yes, absolutely. I can support your child with homework tasks, reading logs, class projects, revision or anything else they’re finding tricky. I can also help them prepare for upcoming tests or school transitions. If they’ve got a specific goal, we’ll work towards it together.

  • Yes. I have lots of experience working with children who have EHCPs and can align my support with their plan. I’m happy to communicate with parents, teachers and support staff to make sure we’re all working towards the same goals in a consistent way.

  • That’s entirely up to you and your child. Some younger children might feel more comfortable if you're nearby, while others may prefer space to work independently. If the session is online, I just ask that a parent or carer is at home during the time, even if they’re in another room.

  • Easy! Just send me a message through the contact page or drop me an email. We can arrange a free initial chat to talk about your child, what they might need, and how I can help. There’s no pressure or commitment, just a friendly conversation to see if we’re a good fit.

Safeguarding & DBS

Your child’s safety and wellbeing is my top priority.

I take safeguarding very seriously and follow the same professional standards used in schools. I’m fully DBS checked (Disclosure and Barring Service), which means I’ve been vetted to work safely with children and young people. I’m also trained in safeguarding procedures and refresh this training regularly to stay up to date.

Over the years, I’ve worked closely with school staff, parents and other professionals to support children with a wide range of needs. This includes safeguarding concerns, emotional support, and helping children feel safe and secure both in and out of the classroom.

If we work together, you can trust that your child is in a kind, respectful and safe learning environment. I’m always happy to talk about any worries or questions you might have, and I believe that open communication with parents is a big part of keeping children protected and happy.

If you’d like to see my DBS certificate or ask about my safeguarding experience, just let me know, I’m happy to share.

Have a question?

Want to chat about how I can support your child? I'd love to hear from you.

Whether you're ready to book or just want to find out a bit more, feel free to drop me a message. I’m happy to offer a free, no-pressure chat to see how we can work together.

You can use the contact form below, or email me directly at mrscarr.sentutor@gmail.com

Looking forward to hearing from you!